Closure cap element feeding apparatus



NOV. 6,1956 Q WILCKENS 2,769,419

CLOSURE CAP ELEMENT FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 6, 1949 12 Sheets-Sheetl Nov. 6, 1956 E. A. WILCKENS 2,769,419

CLOSURE CAP ELEMENT FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 6, 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet2 I\ 2: "Ms;

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CLOSURE CAP ELEMENT FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 6, 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet4 m mww Nov. 6, 1956 E. A. NILCKENS CLOSURE CAP ELEMENT FEEDINGAPPARATUS Filed Jan. 6, 1949 l2 SheetsSheet 5 F .7, l w

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CLOSURE CAP ELEMENT FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 6, 1949 l2 Sheets$heet7 u n i 2 l 120' l f L 115 175 166 J 172 Q 12- 12 151 9 i l I 146 146* I4 I r B3 f' J i '94 g I E I Z 1a1 142 14 24 1956 E. A. WILCKENS2,769,419

CLOSURE CAP ELEMENT FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 6, 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Nov. 6, 1956 E. A. WILCKENS CLOSURE/CAP ELEMENT FEEDINGAPPARATUS l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Jan, 6, 1949 Ejb .T fiflcicens,

Nov. 6, 1956 E. A. WILCKENS CLOSURE CAP ELEMENT FEEDING APPARATUS l2Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed Jan. 6, 1949 1956 E. A. WILCKENS CLOSURE CAPELEMENT FEEDING APPARATUS l2 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Jan. 6, 1949 /v'zzemEECQwM- United States Patent F CLOSURE CAP ELEMENT FEEDING APPARATUSEibe A. Wilckens, Baltimore, Md., assignor to Crown Cork & Seal Company,Inc., Baltimore, Md, a corporation of New York Application January 6,1949, Serial No. 69,516

12 Claims. (Cl. 113114) The present invention relates to closure capassembling apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for assemblingclosure cap shells and liners; for example, cork liners.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanisms which will behighly eificient for feeding cap shells and liners to rotating dials.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shell feedingmechanism of such construction that should any jamming of the shellsoccur, the jam will be quickly rlellilelved without damage to thefeeding mechanism or s e s.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism for controllingthe feeding of liners or other cap components.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism forcontrolling the feed of liners in accordance with the feeding of shells.

Another object is to provide a liner feeding device including means forinsuring that superposed liners will not adhere to each other.

The invention is hereinafter illustrated inrconnection with an apparatusfor placing paper or fiber liners in threaded cap shells. However, itwill be understood that the invention may be used for assembling othertypes of shells and liners.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the followingspecification and drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine.

Figure 2 is a vertical section through a shell feeding mechanism takenon the line 22 of Figure l, as well as the line 22 of Figure 4.

Figure 3 is a vertical section of the machine primarily taken on thereturn-angled line 33 of Figure 1, though the lower right-hand portionof Figure 3 is taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical section of the shell feeding mechanism,the view being taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an elevation, with portions broken away, of the shellfeeding chute.

Figure 6 is a top elevation of the shell feeding and assembly mechanismsof the machine, the shell feeding mechanism being shown in horizontalsection on the line 66 of Figure 4 and the assembly mechanism beingshown on line 6A6A of Figure 7.

Figure 7 is a vertical section through the assembly mechanism.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing the shell feeding andliner feeding mechanisms. The shell feeding mechanism is shownsubstantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 4 and the liner feedingmechanism is shown substantially on the line 8A--8A of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a vertical section through the liner feeding mechanism onthe line 99 of Figure 8, the liner 2,769,419 Patented Nov. 6, 1956supply tube being shown in elevation, as seen from that line, and withparts broken away.

Figure 10 is a developed view showing the liner stack tube as viewedfrom the left of Figure 8 and with the liner feeding control deviceshown on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a vertical section on the line 1111 of Figure 8.

Figure 12 is a horizontal section of the liner feeding mechanism on theline 12-12 of Figure 9.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view showing the liner feed control device ina dilferent position from that illustrated in Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 1414 of Figure11.

Figure 15 is a view similar to that of Figure 14 but showing the linerfeed control device in another position.

Figure 16 is a detail section of the lower portion of the liner stacktube, the view being taken on the line 1616 of Figure 18.

Figure 17 is a horizontal section on the line 17-17 of Figure 10.

Figure 18 is a vertical sectional view on the line 1818 of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a view looking toward the structure of Figure 18 from theright of the latter figure, and with a cam-engaging roll shown invertical section.

Figures 20 to 23 illustrate details of the liner loosening mechanism.

Figure 24 is an elevation of the liner feeding trip cam.

Figure 25 is a plan view, with parts in vertical section, of the plungersupporting housing of the assembly mechanism. The view shows one plungerin section on the line 6A6A of Figure 7.

Figure 26 is a vertical section of the assembly mechanism on the angledline 26-26 of Figure 1, with portions broken away.

Figure 27 is a horizontal section on the line 2727 of Figure 2.

Figure 28 is a detail view showing the liner feeding dial in plan.

Figure 29 is a sectional view on the angled line 2929 of Figure 28.

Figure 30 is a section on the line 3il30 of Figure 28, and

Figure 31 is a fragmentary view showing a leading or liner-engaging faceof the liner feeding dial.

General construction and operation The construction and operation of theembodiment of the invention disclosed herein may be generally describedas follows:

At the right of Figures 1 and 2, and also in Figure 4, there is shown ashell feeding dial 10 rotatable in a counterclockwise direction with adisc 12 and above a stationary table 13. At the left of Figures 1 and 8is also shown a liner feeding dial 14 rotatable counterclockwise above astationary table 16. As best shown in Figure 8, the dials 1i and 14,rotating in the direction of the Figure 8 arrows, respectively delivershells S and liners L to an assembly mechanism 18. As indicated inFigure 7, assembly mechanism 18 includes a lower and rotatable disc 26upon which the shell feeding dial 10 deposits the shells S. Assemblymechanism 18 also includes an upper disc or flange 22 rotatable withdisc 20 and to which the liner feeding dial 14 delivers the liners. Theupper disc 22 is provided with a circumferential series of apertures 24and liner feeding dial 14 positions the liners L upon disc 22 in align--ment with these apertures so that the liners L may drop downwardly inthe apertures as shown at the left of Figure 7. Shell feeding dialplaces shells S on lower disk 20 of the assembly mechanism below and inalignment with the apertures 24. A series of plungers 26 7 included inassemblyrmechanism l8 reciprocate in the apertures 24- to force theliners downwardly throughthe apertures and into the shells S as shown atthe right of Figure 7. The assembled caps are stripped from the lowertable 20 of the assembly mechanism 18 by a stripper plate 28(Figures land 6).and the caps then' driven from the assembly mechanism; A gear 70form V 9. The liner feeding dial 14 rotates beneath the tube V 36 andincludes upstanding teeth 38 arranged at the outer ends of its arms 49.As indicated in Figure 10, as a tooth 38 rotates beneath the lower endof the stack 36, it'will push the lowermost liner out of stack 36 sothat the liner will then ride upon-the'stationary table 16 with therotating dial.

As is best shown in Figure 8, a detector lever 41 piv oted at 42 to thestationary table 13 associated with the shell feeding dial 10 has oneend 43 thereof arranged in the path of movement of shells with shelldial it As is hereinafter explained, whenever a pocket of shell feedingdial it fails to receive a shell from the shell feeding chute 32, aspring 44 shown at the lower right shown in Figures 8 to 15v to raisethe liner supply tube 36 and the stack of liners L sufficiently that thetooth 38 of liner feeding dial 14 which next passes beneath tube 36 willnotengage the lowermost liner in the stack. The shell dial 10 and linerdial 14 are so related that the pocket of shell feeding dial 10 whichfails to receive a shell and the pocket of liner feeding dial 14 whichthereby receives no liner from stack 36 would normally respectivelyplace shells and liners in alignment with the same plunger 26 ofassembly dial 22. Therefore, when the detector lever 41 forming part ofthe liner feed controlling mechanism 45 operates as described above,neither a shell nor a liner will be positioned beneath one of theplungers 26 of assembly mechanism l8. a

As is illustrated in Figures l0, l2 and 17 to 23, the

liner supply tube 36 has a device 46 associated there-V with andoperated by rotation of a cam with the liner feeding dial 14 to strikeor tap the opposite sides of tube 36 to separate liners L which haveadhered to each other. Such adherence can occur because of the coatingusually applied to the liners.

The construction and operation of each mechanism of the apparatus ishereinafter described in more detail Drive mechanism The apparatus isdriven by a motor 48 (Figure 1) I turned flange 93 at its upperend whichis secured to pin through-a speed reducer 49 (Figure 3) including adriving pulley 50. Pulley 5t) drives a belt 51 which engages a pulley 52fixed to a main drive shaft 53 journalled in the base table 54 of themachine. Referring to Figures 7 and 27, a pinion 55 fixed to the upperend of shaft 53 meshes with a pinion 56 secured to a tubular shaft 57iournaled upon a stationary post 53 secured to the base table 54. Asappears in Figure 7, the tubular position of the plungers is controlledby a stationary during rotation of the cam generally designated 60 fixedto post Cam 60,

together with springs associated with the respectiveplungers 26, causesthe plungers to vertically reciprocate assembly 'mechanism 18 and itsplunger turret 59. 1 7

As is best shown in Figures 3 and 27, a gear 65 secured to a secondtubular shaft 66 meshes with the assembly mechanism gear 56. V

Shaft 66 is journaled upon a post 67- secured to the base table 54 andshell feeding dial 10 is secured to shaft 66. As a result, the shellfeeding mechanism is ing part of the liner feeding mechanism also mesheswith the assembly mechanism gear 56 and is secured to a hollow shaft 71rotatable about a post 72 fixed to base table 54. The liner feeding dial14 is secured to the tubular shaft '71 and is thereby also driven fromthe assembly mechanism.

Sltelt feeding As is indicated in Figure 2, the shells S, usually of pthe type including threaded skirts, are delivered to the l chute 32through a suitable upper chute 75. The chute 32 is illustrated inFigures 1 to 3,. 5 and 6, and includes an inner wall 76, edge walls 77and 78 and a pivoted including edge Walls 84 extends from the lower endof the front plate 76 of chute 32 downwardly to a point adjacent theshell feeding dial 110. The inner wall 76 terminates adjacent the upperend of the arcuate plate 83 and the lower portion of wall 76 is cut awayor slotted V as indicated at 85 in Figure 5. As the shells descend inchute 32 they successively come into contact with stop arms 86 and 87which'are respectively pivoted on pins 88 and 89 extending horizontallyof the chute. As appears in Figure 5, the lower ends of the stop arms 86and 37 are bent inwardly to project into the path of shells dropping inthe chute.

turned ends of the stop arms until engaged by the spider 34. The arms86and 87 are urged toward each other by a spring 90 connected to pinsfixed to the arms, the inward movement of the stop arms being limited byad justable set screws designated 91. The tension exerted by slot 35 ofwall 76 to engage the lowermost shell in chute a 32 to move that shelldown plate 83 to dial 10. In order to prevent damage to the shells orshell feeding mechanism by any jamming of shells in chute 32,,the-

chute rear Wall 79 is fixed to a pin 92 which is rotatable in lugs 92arigid with the front wall 76 of the chute. As best shown in Figure 5,rear wall 79 includes an ont- 92 by a set screw 3a. In order to hold therear wall 79 in the normal position indicated in Figure 2, a torsionspring 94 is mounted on the pin 92, one end of the spring engaging acollar 95 fixed to the pin, while the opposite end of the spring isengaged in the adjacent pin supporting lug 92a. The inward movement ofplate 79 is limited by a set screw 96 adapted to bear against the upperend of the arcuate plate 83 of chute 32. Torsion spring 94 exertssufiicient tension that the outer or rear wall 79 of the chute willnormally be held in the position illustrated V in Figure 2 However,should any jamming of shells occur, so that one shell tends to overrideanother, spring As a result, the lowermost cap, in the straight portionof chute 32 will rest upon the in- 94 will permit the rear wall 79 toswing outwardly so that the jam will be relieved.

The lower and curved portion 83 of chute 32 is curved on an arcconcentric with spider 32, the inner surface of the plate being onlyslightly spaced beyond the ends of the spider pins 34a.

As is best shown in Figure 6, the spider 34 is fixed to a sleeve 98which is journaled on a pin 99 fixed in the housing 81 and extendsradially of post 67. Sleeve 98 is provided at its inner end with beveledgear teeth which engage an upwardly facing beveled gear 100 fixed to therotating sleeve 66 of the shell feeding dial 10. As a result, the shellfeeding spider 34 and the shell feeding dial will rotate in synchronismso that each shell which moves downwardly with spider 34 will be engagedby one of the pockets 101 of dial 10.

As is shown at the right of Figure 3 and also in Figure 8, the dial 10is circumferentially adjustable relative to the sleeve 66 so that theposition of the dial pockets 101 with respect to the shell feedingdevice 32 and the assembly mechanism 18 can be adjusted.

The liner feeding means Figures 8 to 16 disclose the arrangementincluded in the present invention whereby liners or other cap elementsmay be fed under the control of a detector means such as 41.

As is best shown in Figures 11 and 12, the liner feed control device 45includes a collar 105 fixed to the stationary post 72 of the linerfeeding mechanism. Sleeve 105 has a radially extending housing 106formed integrally therewith, the housing extending radially above theliner feeding dial 14. Housing 106 includes an aperture 107 at its outerend, and collar 105 includes an aperture 108 aligned with aperture 107.A tubular or sleeve element 109 has its opposite ends journaled in theapertures or bores 107 and 108 so that sleeve 109 will be rotatableabout an axis extending radially of the liner feeding dial 14. A springpressed pin 110 has its inner end lying within an annular groove 111 ofsleeve 109 to prevent the latter from moving radially of the dial 14 oralong its own axis.

Adjacent its inner end, sleeve element 109 is squared as best indicatedin Figure 14 to thereby provide four flat surfaces 112 at 90 to eachother, the adjoining ends of the surfaces 112 thereby forming what maybe regarded as apices 113. As is hereinafter described, the flats 112and spices 113 respectively comprise the dwells and rises of a camgenerally designated 114. Hence, sleeve 109 may be termed a cam sleeve.A rod 115 is slidable axially of the sleeve element 109, the inner endof the rod being seated within a bore 1150 of the sleeve. At its outerend, rod 115 has a swivel connection to the forked end of detector lever41 as is best shown in Figure 8.

A second or cam actuator sleeve 116 is fitted on the exterior of the camsleeve 109, and sleeve 116 is rigidly secured to the rod 115 by means ofa cotter pin 117 which extends through and closely fits a small aperturein the rod and aligned small apertures in sleeve 116. Cotter pin 117also extends through a slot 118 in cam sleeve 109, this slot beingenlarged axially of sleeve 109 so that the cotter pin will be free tomove axially of cam sleeve 109 with rod 115 and cam actuator sleeve 116.Cotter pin 117 also serves as a means to connect sleeve 109, rod 115 andcam actuator sleeve 116 for rotation about the axis of sleeve 109. Forthis same purpose, a key 116a on sleeve 116 engages a keyway 109a insleeve 109.

As is best shown in Figure 10, at its inner end the cam actuating sleeve116 is provided with two circumferential series of trips or teethrespectively designated 120 and 121. As appears in Figures 12 and 13,these two series of trips are spaced axially of sleeve 116, and series120 is outermost on sleeve 109. Each series includes four radiallyprojecting teeth, the teeth of one series being circumferentiallyalternate with the teeth of the other senes.

, liner supply tube 36 includes two inwardly projecting Referring toFigure 11, a collar is reciprocable of the stationary post 72. As isshown in Figure 9, the liner stack tube 36 is rigidly secured adjacentits lower end to collar 125. As is indicated in Figure 3, a second orupper collar 125a rigid with the upper portion of linen stack tube 36 isalso vertically slidable upon post 72. A cam follower plate 126 isadjustably secured to collar 125 in vertical alignment with the cam 114.I

As is indicated in Figure 11, a spring 125b positioned on post 72between collar 125a and a rigid collar at the top of the post may beused to urge the collars 125 and 125a and tube 36 to their loweredposition on the post.

As shown in Figures 9, 18 and 19, the lower end of bottom flanges orWalls 130 and 131 and, as best appears in Figure 12, these flanges arespaced apart so that diametrically opposite areas of the lowermost linerin the stack may rest thereon. Flange 131 may include slight rises 131aat its ends to prevent liners from adhering too closely to it. The twoflanges are spaced sufl'iciently far apart to permit the upstandingteeth 38 of liner feeding dial 14 to move between them. The height of atooth 38 with respect to the liner supply tube 36 is best indicated inFigure 9 from which it will be perceived that when the tube is in thelowered position illustrated in that figure, the teeth 38 may movethrough a slot 133 at the entrance side of tube 36 (the left-hand sidein Figure 10) and outwardly through an opening 134 on the exit side ofthe tube, each tooth 38 having sufficient height that it will engageonly the lowermost liner in the stack as indicated in Figure 10 towithdraw that liner below a stop 135 mounted at the exit side of tube36. The opening 134 at the exit side of the tube obviously will be ofsufiicient extent circumferentially of the tube to permit a liner tomove freely therethrough. Stop 135 is vertically adjustable with respectto tube 36 by means of the slot and set screw arrangement designated 136and illustrated in Figure 9.

It will be noted from Figure 9 that when the tube 36 is in the loweredposition illustrated in that figure, the under surface of the bottomflange 131 of the tube will be in close contact with the upper surfaceof liner feeding spider 14. However, a sufficient clearance will existat this point and also between the lower end of stop 135 and the uppersurface of the dial tooth 38 to enable the dial to rotate freely beneaththe stack tube 36.

As is best shown in Figures 9 and 28 to 31, the hub of liner feedingdial 14 is provided with a circumferential series of slots 140 openinginto an annular recess 141'in the upper surface of the hub. Set screws142 extending through the slots 140 and having their heads lying withinrecess 141 serve to hold the dial 14 in circumferentially adjustedposition upon the rotatable tubular shaft 71 of the liner feedingmechanism. As appears in Figure 9, a ring 145 is fixed to the hubportion of dial 14 by means of set screws 146 threaded in sockets 147(Figure 28) circumferentially spaced about the recess 141 of dial 14.

A circumferential series of pins 148 extend upwardly from the ring 145,the pins 148 corresponding in number with the number of teeth 38provided on dial 14. As is hereinafter described, the pins 148 areadapted to contact one or the other of the series of cam actuating teethor trips 120 or 121 fixed to cam actuator sleeve 116. Hence, the pins148 may be regarded as strikers. Figures l7 and 24 show a modified formof ring including strikers consisting of teeth 148a formed integrallywith a ring element 145a, the element 145a also including a camstructure adapted to cooperate with the device 46 which prevents linersfrom adhering to each other. Ring 145a would be adjustably secured tothe hub of dial 14 by means of slots and set screws 146.

The operation of the liner feed control mechanism 45 is as follows: Solong as each pocket of the shell feeding dial 10 receives a shell S fromthe shell feeding spider 34 and chute 32, the outer end 43 of thedetector'leverof tube -36.

'vance of liner tube 36.

bear upon one of the flats or dwells'112 .of cam 114, and

the stack 36 will be in the lowered position shown in Figure 9.Therefore, each tooth '38 of liner'feeding dial 14 will successivelyremove a liner L from the lower end In the event that apocket of shellfeeding dial 113 moves past the position approximated at A in Figure 8and without a shell 8 therein, the spring 44 of Figure 3 V urges theouter end of detector lever 41 in the direction of arrow A1 to theinward position illustrated in Figure 8. Therefore, the left-hand end oflever 41 will move in a direction opposite to that indicated by thearrow A2 in Figure '8, therebyforcing the rod 115 and cam actuatingsleeve 116 'in the'same direction, viz., outwardly. This will cause theinner series of trips 121 to be positioned V in the path of' movement ofthe strikers or pins 148. As

a result, the next striker 148 ;which moves beneath the cam actuatingmechanism will have one of the inner'se-' ries of trips 121 extendingvertically downwardly in its path as shown in Figures 9 and 10. Thestriker 148 will contact with this trip and'thereby rotate cam actuatorsleeve 116 through approximately 45. so that no trip of the inner'series121 will project into the path of the strikers 148. A trip of the outerseries 120 will now pro- ,ject downwardly but at the moment this seriesof trips is radially outwardly of the path of movement of the strikers148. v

-As the result of the above mentioned rotation of the .8 V In otherwords, the rise or apex 113 of the cam which has been supporting the camfollower 126 will'be moved from beneath the cam follower and a dwell orflat,112;

will move beneath the cam follower. Therefore, the, cam follower 126,sleeve 125 and liner stack tube 36 will drop to the lowered positionillustrated in Figures 9 and 10 so that the next tooth .d'which movesbeneath the stack tube 36 will remove the lowermost liner from thestack.

Liner loosening mechanism When the .cap elements handled by the stacktube 36 are disc-type liners coatedwith wax, they tend to adhere to eachother in surface to surface contact. As a result of this adherencawhen ateeth 38 of the liner feeding includes an arrangement to so agitate thestack tube and.

liners that any tendency of the liners/to adhere to each other will beovercome. V a

The arrangement just referred to is best illustrated in 7 Figures 1712024. Referring first to Figures 17 and 24,

cam actuator sleeve 116 and cam sleeve 109;, the latter will rotate fromthe position illustrated in Figure 14 to that illustrated in Figure 15.Hence, an apex or rise 113 of cam 114 will rotate beneath the camfollower 126,

thereby lifting camfollower 126 from the Figure 14' position to thatshown in Figure 15 and also 'lifting the stack tube 36. The stack tube36 will rise sufiiciently that the lowermost liner therein will bepositionedabove.

and clear of the upper surface of the liner dial teeth 38. Hence, thenext tooth 38 which passes beneath the stack tube cannot remove a linerfrom the stack. Itwill be understood that the dials 10 and 14 will be sosynchronized that the tooth 38 just described as failing to remove aliner would ordinarily remove a liner for assembly with the shell of thepocket of shell dial 1!) which has been described ,as failing to receivea shell. Also, a striker 148 of ,liner dial 14 will be prositioned about90 in advance. of the tooth 38 with which it is associated, the

spacing primarily depending upon the distance by which.

the liner'feed controlling device 45 is positioned in ad- If a series ofpockets of shell feeding dial 10 fail to receive a shell after the linerfeed tube has been raised, the stack 36 will remain in elevated positiondue to the fact that the inner series of trips 121 remain aligned .withthe path of the correspondingseries of strikers 148;

cause the right-hand end of the detector lever 41 to be swung outwardlyfrom the position illustrated in Figure 8. As a result, the left-handend of lever 41 will move inwardly in the direction of arrow A2 tothereby position the outer series of trips 126 in alignment with thestrikers 148. Because one of these teeth will be projecting downwardly,the next striker 148 which passes below device 45 will rotate the camactuator sleeve 116 and the cam sleeve a ring cam 166, preferably formedas part of the striker ring a, is positioned above the hub of the linerfeeding dial 14 as indicated in Figure 11. The cam 16%) includesalternate rises 161 and relatively slight dwells 162. The surface of thecam is vertically tapered in order that correspondingly tapered camengaging rollers hereinafter described may cooperate therewith.

. As is best shown in Figures 9 and 19, the liner: stack tube '36 has abracket 165 secured to its lower end and on its surface nearest thefixed post 72. A vertical pin 166 r is journaled in a vertical bore 166aof bracket 165 and at its lower end journal pin 166 has a bar 167 fixedthereto, the plate extending in opposite directions from the pin. Ateach end, bar 167 carriesa roller 168 suitably rotatable on a verticalaxis such as the headed pin 169, shown in Figure 19. As is also shown inFigure 18,

tially, U-shaped plate 171 fixed to its upper end as indicated inFigures 20 and 21 and also in Figure 17. As

appears in the latter figure, the plate 171 partially surrounds thestack tube 36.

The outer ends of plate 171 have fiat fittings 172 welded thereto andwhich fittings lie in parallel vertical planes. Each fitting 172 has arelatively large set screw 173 threaded therethrough, these set screwsbeing so positioned with respect to the stack that they lie on' a lineextending diametrically through the stack tube 36.

Stack tube 36 has a diametrically opposite apertures 174 formed therein,and, as shown in Figure 17, the inner ends of the set screws 173 extendinto these apertures though the inner ends of the set screws will beseparated by a distance somewhat greater than the diameter of the linersL. Each fitting 172 carries a small set screw 175 which is adapted tocontact with the outer surface of stack tube 36 at a point slightlybelowthe corresponding aperture 174. The set screws 175 will limit the inwardmovement of theirpper set screws radially of the stack tube and alsoexert a slight tapping effect upon the stack tube wall. V

In operation, as cam 161 rotates with the liner feeding dial 14, theengagement of the liners 168 with the cam willcause the bar 167 andplate 171 to be oscillated about the vertical axis of the journal pin166. Cam 160 will be so' designed with respect to the spacing apart ofthe rollers 16$ that'as a rise 161 moves under one roller, 2. V

dwell 162 willbe moving beneath the other roller.

, the opposite ends of the pins 173 to oscillate or alter- 109 so thatearn 114 will be rotated from the position 7 7 shown in Figure 15 to theposition shown in Figure 14.,

nately move through the opposed apertures 174in-the stack tube. Therange of oscillation is sufficient-that:

V. 9 as a liner moves downwardly in the stack to bring its perimeterinto the path of the set screws or tappers 173 it will be laterallyseparated from the liner immediately above by reason of radial movementimparted to it by the set screws 173.

In order that the liners in the path of the tapper may have radialmovement with respect to the liners above and below the path of thetappers, the inner surface of the stack tube 36 is recessed in the planeof the tappers as indicated at 180 in Figures l7 and 18. It will beobserved that two recesses 180 are provided, each recess extendingthrough about 90 on each side of each aperture 174. The recesses 180have their greatest depth adjacent the apertures and are of graduallydecreaSing depth to a diametric line lying midway between the apertures.The extent of the recess in a vertical plane substantially correspondsto the diameter of the pins 173.

The effect of the above-mentioned recesses 180 is to provide a spacewithin the tube 36 into which the liners L may be radially moved in thedirection of tapping movement of the tappers 173. It will be noted thatthe upper and lower edges of the recesses are rounded to avoid any sharpshoulders upon which the liners might lodge when they are radiallyofiset by the action of the tappers. The recesses need only be veryshallow in a radial direction to provide suflicient space for theoffsetting or loosening action of the tappers 173.

Assembly mechanism As is best illustrated in Figure 8, the rotation ofthe shell feeding dial 10 in a counterclockwise direction will cause theshell to be moved toward the assembly mechanism 18 and rotation of theliner feeding dial in the same direction will move the liners L to theassembly mechanism. The shells are guided to the lower table 20 of theassembly mechanism by a guide strip 185. The pockets of shell feedingdial 10 move in synchronism with the bores 24 of the upper plate 22 ofthe assembly mechanism so that each shell will be placed below a bore24. At that instant, the plunger 26 associated with the bore will be ina raised position. Rotation of the assembly mechanism 18 in synchronismwith the liner feeding dial 14 will bring the bore 24 to the pointillustrated in Figure 8 at which a liner will be placed in the upper endof the bore 24.

The shells will be prevented from moving radially out of alignment withthe bores 24 by an arcuate guide strip 186 extending about the lowertable 20 of the assembly mechanism beyond the point of infeed of theshells. In order to prevent the shells from sliding circumferentially ofthe table 20, the latter is provided (Figure 7) with upwardly projectingpins 188, one in advance of and one behind each bore 24, the pins beingspaced circumferentially of table 20 by a distance substantiallycorresponding to the outside diameter of a shell S.

The assembly mechanism plungers 26 are best illustrated in Figures 6, 7,25 and 26. Referring to those figures, it will be observed that theturret 59 which carries the plungers 26 is secured to the tables 20 and22 by means of removable pins, the turret including a lower sleeveportion 190 which surrounds the upper end of the tubular shaft 57. Theupper portion of turret 59 includes radially projecting hollow box-likebosses 191 each of which serves as a guide housing for a plungerassembly. Each boss includes a lower horizontal wall 192, side or radialwalls 193, and a top wall 194. The radially outward wall 195 of the bossis slotted as indicated at 196, this slot serving as a guideway for aroller as hereinafter described. The inner side of each boss 191 is openso that a roller associated with the plunger 26 may extend from the bossto engage the cam 60. 7

Each plunger device comprises a sleeve 198 which is verticallyreciprocable through a bore 199 in the lower wall of the correspondinghousing 191. Sleeve 198 is of reduced diameter at "its upper portion soas to provide an upwardly facing shoulder 200 approximately midway ofthe length of the sleeve. A collar 201 bears upon the shoulder 200, thiscollar including two radially projecting pins 202 and 203 which extendin opposite directions. As indicated in Figure 6, collar 201 may be ofrectangular outline in plan. The inwardly projecting pin 203 has aroller 204 journaled thereon adapted to engage the cam 60, and the outerpin 202 has a second roller 205 journaled thereon which roller engagesthe edges of the slot 196 in the outer wall of boss 191. Collar 201 isheld down upon shoulder 200 by means of a second sleeve 206 having itsupper end engaged by a nut element 207 threaded on the upper end ofsleeve 198.

The stem 209 of plunger 26 is vertically movable within the bore 210 ofsleeve 198. The upper port-ion 211 of stem 209 is of reduced diameter toprovide an upwardly facing shoulder against which the lower end of acoil spring 212 may bear. The upper end of spring 212 engages adownwardly projecting shoulder at the upper end of sleeve 198. The upperstem portion 211 extends through an end aperture 213 in sleeve 198 and anut 214 is threaded on the stem above the sleeve, nut 214 normally beingurged into contact with the upper end of the sleeve by the action ofspring 212.

Cam 60 is of drum-type and formed of two flanged discs 220 and 221. Disc220 is fixed to a collar 222 rigid with the stationary post 58 andincludes an upwardly extending flange 223 concentric with the axis ofthe post. The upper disc 221 extends a downwardly projecting flange 224,both flanges having the same radius. The vertically facing edges of theflanges are suitably contoured to cause the plungers 26 to be verticallyreciprocated as the plungers move about the cam. The space between theopposed edges of the flanges 223 and 224 is such that the cam engagingrollers 204 of the plungers 26 will closely contact both edges.

The plunger and cam structure described above insures that the verticalmovement of the plunger sleeves 198 will be closely controlled. The factthat each plunger includes a cam engaging roller 204 and a diametricallyopposite guide roller 205 permits each plunger to be moved verticallywithout possibility of any rotation about its axis such as would twistthe cam engaging roller 204 out of a proper radial relationship with thecam 60. Although each plunger sleeve 198 has its movement rigidlycontrolled by cam 60, the provision of the spring 212 upon the plungerstem enables plunger 26 to resiliently engage a -liner L to move itdownwardly through the bores 24 and into a cap shell S.

It will be understood that the cam 60 is of such design that a plunger26 will rise to extreme elevated position at approximately the instantit reaches the position designated U in Figure l, viz, an instant beforethe assembled shell and liner engage stripper 28 of outfeed guideway 30for removal from the machine. The plunger will remain in lifted positionuntil approximately the position designated D in Figure l, by which timea liner L will have been placed in the upper end of the bore 24corresponding to that plunger. The plunger will then descend to move theliner L downwardly into the shell S to thereby assemble the shell andliner. The plunger will remain in lowered position until position U ofFigure 1 is again reached.

The terminology used in the specification is for the purpose ofdescription and not of limitation, the scope of the invention beingdefined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a cap assembling apparatus, a base, a vertical guideway fixed tosaid base, a dial rotatable with respect to said base and including acircumferential series of pockets, a cap element supply tube positionedabove said dial and supported on said guideway for vertical movement, acircumferential series of strikers rotatable with said dial, a camsupported by said base for rotation about a horizontal axis andincluding a rise and a dwell, a cam 7 strikers.

2. A cap assembling apparatus of the character defined in claim 1including a second dial, means to feed anotherrcap element to saidsecond dial, and wherein the means to control the position of said camactuator comprises a detector responsive to the feed of thelast-mentioned cap elements.

3. In combination, a base, a cap element supply tube carriedby saidbase, said tube including a lateral opening, an oscillatable tappingelement pivoted on said base a and including a blunt portion movableinto the tube opening to radially engage the edges of cap elementswithin the tube, and a second portion adapted to strike the outside ofsaid tube.

4. The combination described in claim 3 including a tapping elementoscillating cam which is rotatable on said base about an axis parallelwith the pivotal axis of said tapper.

p 5. The combination described in claim 3 wherein the inside surface ofthe tube bore is recessed opposite the tube opening so that the tappingelement may move a cap element radially into'the wall recess.

6. In combination, a base, a cap element supply tube includingdiametrically opposite openings in its wall, a tapping element pivotedon said base on an axis parallel with the axis of said tube andincluding two arms, one extending adjacent each of the tube openings, apin on each of the respective tapping element arms and extendingsubstanially radially of the tube in alignment with the tube openings,both of said pins lying in the same plane and each including a blunt capengaging end, and means to move said pin ends alternately into the tubeopenings. 7

7. The combination described in claim 6 wherein diametrically oppositeportions of the inside surface of the tube bore are recessed, eachrecess extending over an area approm'mately 180 in extent, therespective tube openings being positioned at the median and deepestpoint of a recess.

8. In combination, a base, a cap element supply tube carried by saidbase, a cap element conveying means supported and movable on said basebelow said tube to retate the stack of cap elements in said tube.

9. In a cap handling apparatus, a base, a cap element conveying meansmovable in a predetermined plane with respect toisaid base, means tomove said cap element conveying means in said plane, a cap elementsupply device, means to move said cap element supply device in adirection normal to said plane from a first position to a secondposition, and means carried by said cap element conveying means andmovable in'a path determined by said plane, said last mentioned meansbeing adapted to successively engage and remove cap elements from saidcap element supply device when the latter is in said first position,said last mentioned means being inoperative to remove cap elements fromsaid cap element supply device when the latter is in said secondposition. Y

10. In a cap handling apparatus, a base, a cap element conveying meansmovable in a predetermined plane with respect to said base, means tomove said cap. element con-.

veying means in said plane, a capelement supply device, means to movesaid cap element supply device with respect to said base along a lineatan angle to the planeof movement of said cap element conveyingmeans froma' first position to a second position,.and meanson-saidcap elementconveying means operable in a path determined by said plane, said lastmentioned means'being adapted to engage and successively remove'capelements from said cap element supply device when the latter is in saidfirst position and being inoperative to removecap elements from said capelement supply. device when the latter is' moved to said secondposition.

11. In a'cap handling apparatus, a base, a. cap element conveying meansmovable with respect to said base in a substantially horizontal plane,means to move said cap element conveying means, a cap elementsupply de-'vice on said base 'above saidcap element conveying means, means to movesaid cap element supply device vertically from a first position to asecond position, and means carried by said cap element conveying meansand movable in a path determined by said plane, said .last mentionedmeans'being adapted to successively en- 12. In a cap assembly'apparatus, a base, acap ele-;

ment conveying means movable with respect to said base, means to movesaid cap element conveying means, a first cap element supply device, asecond cap element supply device, at least said first cap element supplydevice being associated in feeding relation to and movable adjacent andaway from said cap element conveying.

means, means operatively connected to said first cap element supplydevice to move it adjacent and away from said cap element conveyingmeans, said. cap element conveying means including means operative toengage V and remove a cap element from said first cap element supplydevice when the latter is adjacent said cap element conveying means andinoperative to engage a cap element When'said first supply device isaway from said cap element conveying means, and means operativelyconnected to said first supply device moving means inr eluding adetector responsive to the feed of cap elements from said second supplydevice to control the position of said first supply device with respectto said cap element conveying means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED. STATES PATENTS882,603 White Mar. 24, 1908 934,586 White Sept. 21, 1909 1,047,026Flounders Dec. 10, 1912 1,063,324 Bond June 3,1913 1,069,948 HartingAllg. 12, 1913 1,134,626 "Loehler Apr. 6, 1915 1,154,237 DiXOn Sept. 21,1915 1,158,045 Graham, Oct.26, 1915 1,330,639 Leumann Feb. 10, 19201,347,295 Sedwick 1 July 20, 1920 1,396,720 Mouawad ..'.,NOV. 8, 1921, r1,476,224 Salfisberg' Dec. ,4, 1 923 1,539,552 Farmer. .1 May 26, 19251,639,945 Huntar' Aug. ;23, 1927 1,652,032 'Lynch Dec. 6, 1927 1,699,069Huntar Jan. 15, 1929 1,751,556 Peyser Mar. 25, 1930 1,866,369 .PodelJuly5, 1932 1,895,184 Douglass Jan. 24, 1933 1,966,529 Stevens -1 July17,

UNITED STATES PATENTS Johnson Jan. 21, 1936 Johnson Jan. 21, 1936 ClarkFeb. 15, 1938 Clark Dec. 26, 1939 Gerlitzki Nov. 11, 1941 Frank Oct. 5,1943 Krueger Mar. 25, 1947 14 Green Dec. 23, 1947 Hofiecker Feb. 10,1948 Penny Apr. 13, 1954 Zenlea Dec. 7, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS GermanyOct. 3, 1910

